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In the heart of Africa, the Masai Mara Game Reserve is a place where, in place of justice and fairness, raw power rules the day, and to survive means to fight. Lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, gazelles, and other large mammals roam the vast, rolling plains of the reserve, and with so many species competing for space and food, the stakes are high, and danger looms at every turn.

In African Cats: Kingdom of Courage, filmmakers Keith Scholey and Amanda Barrett follow the lives of some of the Masai Mara’s big cats, focusing on two lionesses and a cheetah and her adorable cubs. This companion book to their incredible film offers a fascinating exploration of the unique, yet interwoven, stories of each cat.

Filled with stunning photographs of the Kenyan plains and the remarkable animals that reside on them, this book will take you on an unforgettable journey chronicling the struggle to survive.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this beautifully photographed companion book to the upcoming Disneynature film, naturalists Barrett and Scholey share their experience of studying a cheetah, her six cubs, and a pride of 19 lions in the Masai Mara National Reserve. The authors gracefully chronicle the animals' social and familial dynamics, as well as their struggles for survival in a sometimes ruthless environment. Centering on the "stars" of the film—an injured lioness with a six-month-old cub, and the mother cheetah—Barrett and Scholey lightly anthropomorphize their behaviors to construct a relatable narrative (as a result of her mother's injury, the lion cub wears "a habitually anxious expression"). The awesome power and inscrutability of the big cats is captivating. All ages. (Mar.)

About the Author

Keith ScholeyKeith Scholey began his career in television and film working as a researcher for the BBC Natural History Unit, where he then became a producer of the "Natural World" and "Wildlife on One" series as well as special series including the award-winningThe Private Life of Plants. In 2002, Scholey was appointed Controller of Specialist Factual, responsible for BBC Natural History, Science, History, Arts, Business and Religious in-house productions. Natural History productions made during this time includedSpringwatch, David Attenborough'sLife in the UndergrowthandPlanet Earth. In 2006, Scholey was named the Controller of Factual Production, and he is currently responsible for all in-house Factual television production across England in the BBC. He is also the Deputy Chief Creative Officer for Vision Productions. Awards for productions he has been responsible for include Emmies, Baftas, RTS's, Wildscreen pandas and Jackson Hole Awards.Amanda BarrettGrowing up with an interest in environmental politics and conservation, Amanda joined the BBC's Natural History Unit where she became an assistant producer on Owen Newman's Arctic fox film for the BBC's recurring series, "The Natural World." Since then, Barrett and Newman have made numerous films together in diverse countries such as Australia, Brazil, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia. Barrett has written articles forBBC Wildlifeand been a principal contributor to several successful books to accompany BBC series such as "Wild Africa" and "Nature's Great Events." In 2002, the script she wrote forCats under Serengeti Starswon "Best Script" at the Wildlife International Film Festival.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

This book is fascinating account of the efforts of the film makers to find and keep track of a pride of lions and a cheetah family in the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Africa. This book takes the reader into the lives of these wild cats and the ongoing struggle to survive. Within a few pages, the reader becomes attached to these magnificent animals, despite the often brutal nature of their existence. Anyone can enjoy the stunning photography. The writing, which is very good, quickly became secondary as I eagerly followed the experiences of both the animals and the film makers. This is film-making at its best. Highly recommended.

I saw the movie and I just have this book. I'm sooo excited to know those cheetahs were the one I knew from "Big Cat Diary". Book explains much better about the lives of Lions and Cheeaths. And so many wonderful pictures. I'm so proud to have this book in my collection.

The book is beautiful, and arrived in perfect conditions. The photography is gorgeous, and they expand on certain details that were not fully developed in the movie. It also has some pieces of illustration that I did not expect, and were a delightful surprise. I really enjoyed the movie, and am glad that the book supplemented the experience.